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Rawlins was accused of accessing information through the district's computer network without proper authorization. The district placed him on paid leave on April 26 and terminated his access to the network at that time.

The decision reached by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services on June 6, stated the total amount of benefits based on combined education and non-educational employment during January- December of 2017 was $11,206, according to a copy of the notice obtained by the Star.

The notice also said that employment during that time met the department's weeks and wages eligibility requirement. His earnings for that year amounted to $44,907.84.

District officials said that employee emails, confidential attorney-client privileged information and student education records were accessed by Rawlins between January and April.

Attorney Rocky Ratliff, who is representing Rawlins, told the Star that his client did not access any information that was outside of his job description and would be filing an appeal against the boards' decision.

Ratliff said the state's decision is a step in the right direction for them.

Diana Brown, an attorney representing the district, said the state's decision regarding Rawlins’ unemployment compensation benefits is a determination only of his initial application, which, according to statute, is issued “on the basis of information available.”

She said the determination is issued without a hearing or the presentation of evidence.

"The standard for granting benefits upon initial application is different than the standard that will be used to test whether the district had just cause to terminate Mr. Rawlins," the attorney said in an email sent to the Star on Wednesday.

Representatives of the district said they would most likely appeal the state's decision, but are currently assessing the cost-benefit analysis of doing so.

According to members of the board, an initial investigation found that thousands of documents were searched by Rawlins.

However, school officials said that many of those records were public and could be accessed through an official request.

School board president Ted McKinniss told the Star at the time that some of those documents did not constitute a public record and a request was never filed.

According to district policy, the employee would not receive any form of compensation from the district following the board vote, including unemployment.